British Olympian Shauna Coxsey has defended her decision to continue climbing while pregnant – insisting she would never ‘put her baby in danger’.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the UK’s most decorated elite climber, 29, explained: ‘It feels way more risky for me to walk down the street. I feel much more likely to trip over on a bumpy road than I do to go up an easy climbing wall.’
Shauna, who is 39 weeks pregnant with her first child, shares her climbing activities on her Instagram account, where she has repeatedly been forced to hit back at critics, who argue her actions are ‘stupid and irresponsible’.
However, others have labelled the sportswoman – who retired from competitive climbing after the sport’s Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 – ‘inspirational’ and praised her for encouraging women to stay active during their pregnancies.
British Olympian Shauna Coxsey (pictured) has defended her decision to continue climbing while pregnant – insisting she would never ‘put her baby in danger’
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the UK’s most decorated elite climber (pictured ahead of the Olympics), 29, explained: ‘It feels way more risky for me to walk down the street. I feel much more likely to trip over on a bumpy road than I do to go up an easy climbing wall.’
Shauna (pictured), who is 39 weeks pregnant with her first child, shares her climbing activities on her Instagram account, where she has repeatedly been forced to hit back at critics, who argue her actions are ‘stupid and irresponsible’.
Shauna, whose husband Ned Feehally is also a climber, made history in Tokyo when becoming Britain’s first competitor in the sport.
The double World Championship bronze medallist finished 10th overall after being hindered by a back injury.
Having been involved with the sport since she was just three years old, Shauna said if she doesn’t climb for a week or more, her body feels ‘clunky’ and ‘achy’.
‘As soon as I get back on that wall and start stretching and moving again, my body feels more connected and good and strong and also my mental health as well,’ she said.
She added that she has been ‘really fortunate’ to be able to continue to climb throughout her pregnancy – and that what critics perceive as ‘risky’ is ‘well within my comfort zone’.
‘I wouldn’t put my baby in danger,’ she insisted. ‘People think I might be able to fall and land on my stomach – which is something I have never ever done or seen happen before.’
However, others have labelled the sportswoman – who retired from competitive climbing after the sport’s Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 – ‘inspirational’ and praised her for encouraging women to stay active during their pregnancies
Shauna, whose husband Ned Feehally is also a climber, made history in Tokyo when becoming Britain’s first competitor in the sport
The climber said she was opening up about her decision to encourage other women to continue to climb – despite the judgement or ‘bullying’ they might receive.
She told FEMAIL: ‘I have been so amazed by the support and positivity that I have received throughout this journey.
‘It’s so important for us to feel empowered to make our own choices and not feel we need to stop doing something that keeps us fit, active and happy through fear of judgement.’
Back in March, the Olympian took to Instagram to defend her decision. She wrote: ‘Why am I still climbing?
‘I’m not sure that I feel the need to justify why I am still climbing but more that I think it’s both meaningful and important for me to share my journey for both myself and others too hopefully.
‘There are a lot of climber mums out there. Women who, before me and after me, have chosen and been able to keep climbing during pregnancy.
‘Women who understand and respect their bodies, who arm themselves with knowledge and support, who know their abilities, women who have the right to make their own choices about what they do.
‘For me I never considered stopping climbing when I got pregnant. Not for the sake of stopping anyway. Climbing is part of who I am and has been for 25 years. It makes me, me. It makes me happy.
The double World Championship bronze medallist (pictured at the Olympics) finished 10th overall after being hindered by a back injury
‘I feel strong, empowered and damn lucky. To have found this sport, made a career and even luckier to be able to say I still love it so much.
‘And I feel incredibly fortunate that I’ve been able to continue climbing whilst growing this baba. If my body said stop, I would. But it hasn’t. Climbing feels good.
‘This is not me being reckless or care free. This is me being considered and calculated. I haven’t fallen since the Olympics and I won’t until I’m ready to, post partum.
‘For those that say I might have an unplanned fall. Well, I am pretty sure you don’t realise or respect my (or Neds as he often climbs things first to check them) ability to judge what I am capable of.
‘If what I’m doing with MY pregnant body seems too hard or too risky I guess we’ve assessed things differently. But I’m gonna keep trusting myself, my husband and my medical team.
Back in March, the Olympian took to Instagram to defend her decision (pictured above)
More recently she wrote on her social media account (above): ‘Typed out a long caption and deleted it. Go read my other posts if you wanna know why I’ve chosen to keep climbing and how I’m choosing to mitigate the risks’
‘Keeping my body moving and staying on the wall feels so important. For both my body and my mind. I am fit, healthy and I feel totally blessed to be able to say I am loving this pregnancy.
‘Sending good vibes to all the mamas and mamas to be sharing love and knowledge! And love to all those who have sent kind comments and messages!’
More recently she wrote on her social media account: ‘Typed out a long caption and deleted it. Go read my other posts if you wanna know why I’ve chosen to keep climbing and how I’m choosing to mitigate the risks.
‘This climb made me happy,’ she explained on a video of her climbing. ‘Well mainly this first move. I worked it with extra holds and a spot and was buzzing to do it! Moving feels so good. Heading into week 38 and still loving being on the wall!’
Some social media users have been quick to criticise the climber, with one questioning online: ‘Climbing more important than her child.’
However, others have praised Shauna as ‘inspirational’, with one writing: ‘Incredible! I think I was glued to the sofa by this point.’
Some social media users have been quick to criticise the climber, with one questioning online: ‘Climbing more important than her child.’
Another said: ‘Honestly that’s just stupid and irresponsible and she should feel ashamed for it.
‘It’s literally only while she’s pregnant, nobody is stopping her after she has given birth. Imagine being a parent and actively knowingly putting your child in danger.’
However, others have praised Shauna as ‘inspirational’, with one writing: ‘Incredible! I think I was glued to the sofa by this point.’
Another said: ‘Keep being an inspiration! You are very lucky to be able to move like this at nearly 38 weeks! Good for you!’
A third wrote: ‘I bet you are so bored of explaining yourself! So awesome to see you still climbing at 38 weeks.’
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